Incidents

Truck 3 was activated to respond to dis 6 for a chimney fire. Report was sparks coming from the neighbors chimney. Units from 6 and the truck from 3 arrived to find nothing showing. Further investigation found a light smoke condition inside. Engine crew from 6 went to the interior to investigate while the truck crew laddered the building and went to the roof to investigate the chimney. It was determined the chimney was slightly blocked with no fire services needed.

Here is one for your Monday motivation. Which do you prefer? While the difference between the needles may not seem significant now, it will come back to haunt you when you need the extra air. Rig checks are completed every day at the RTFD to ensure our equipment functions properly, and most importantly, our cylinders are FULL. In order for us to be any help to our residents, we must first make sure we help ourselves. Remember, almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades - NOT firefighting.Which one would you take. The one on the left at 4500, or the one on the right at 4000. Many fire departments I've been to, or firefighters I have talked to all have a similar guideline when it comes to checking SCBA's and bottles. If it's between 4000-4500 it is good to be in service. What is everybody's opinions? What is your departments guideline?

I have made it a point, every morning I come in for a shift, to check my SCBA completely, and if it is not at 4500 I swap it out for one that is. That 500 PSI could be the last few breaths you need to get out of a building, or to help pull a victim or a fellow brother out. Take that extra minute now to possibly save a life later.